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49 more Lok Sabha MPs suspended for unruly behaviour in Parliament, over 110 MPs suspended so far during winter session

OpIndia Staff
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49 more Lok Sabha MPs suspended for unruly behaviour in Parliament, over 110 MPs suspended so far during winter session

On 19th December, 49 Members of Parliament were suspended for the rest of the winter session of Lok Sabha for unruly behaviour. So far, 114 MPs have been suspended from the Parliament during the ongoing session. The MPs were repeatedly asked by the chair not to show placards in the house.

Earlier, in a meeting with Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla, the MPs of the opposition parties had promised they would not bring placards into the house but they failed to fulfill their promise. Cabinet Minister of Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal moved the resolution to suspend the members for unruly behaviour which was accepted by the House via voice vote. The list of suspended members includes Farooq Abdullah, Supriya Shrinate, Manish Tewari, Shashi Tharoor, Md Faisal, Karti Chidambaram, Sudip Bandhopadhyay, Dimple Yadav, and Danish Ali among others.

In a statement, Union minister Pralhad Joshi in Lok Sabha said, “It was decided not to bring placards inside the House. Due to the desperation after losing recent elections, they are taking such steps. This is the reason we are bringing a proposal (to suspend MPs).”

On 18th December, 33 MPs were suspended from the House for the same reason. Congress leader Adhir Ranjan, TMC’s Saugata Roy and Kalyan Banerjee, and DMK’s TR Baalu, A Raja and Dayanidhi Maran, were suspended from Lok Sabha for the remaining part of the winter session for “misconduct” and not obeying the directions of the Chair. The House earlier suspended 13 members for displaying placards and violating the directions of the Chair. Opposition members have been demanding a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah over the breach of Parliament’s security on 13th December.

Jalgaon: Muslim crowd booked for ‘raising Hamas flags’, Sar Tan Se Juda slogans, SP MLA Abu Azmi demands withdrawal of complaint. What FIR, videos show

Siddhi Somani
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Jalgaon: Muslim crowd booked for ‘raising Hamas flags’, Sar Tan Se Juda slogans, SP MLA Abu Azmi demands withdrawal of complaint. What FIR, videos show

On Monday (18th December), the Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Abu Azmi demanded the withdrawal of a police case filed against 11 Muslims in Dharangaon, Jalgaon, Maharashtra for allegedly raising Hamas and Palestine flags and raising anti-India slogans on 8th November 2023. Azmi claimed that ‘no Hamas flags were raised’ during the rally and that the allegations leveled against the 11 accused are ‘false’.

The 11 accused persons booked in the case on 16th December 2023 are Sheikh Rafiq Sheikh Musa Qureshi, Irfan Sheikh Armaan, Mohammed Ismail Yusuf, Nagar Momin, Nadimoddin Ejajoddin Kazi, Kalu Ustad, Mohammed Saleem Mohammed Isac Momin, Ibrahim Janab urf Ittu Janab, Amjad Khan Gulab Khan Beldaar, Mohammed Ayas Mohammed Siddiqi, Junaid Khan. These persons have been booked by the Jalgaon Police under sections 153(A)(1)(b) (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion) and 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.

Azmi on Monday (18th December) said that the rally was organized by Muslims in support of Palestine with police permission and that no flags of Hamas were raised. “Muslims in Dharangaon (Jalgaon district) had organized a rally in support of Palestine with proper permission on 8th November. A local group later organized a counter rally and raised provocative slogans. This rally was organized without permission, but no police case was registered against them,” he said.

He also claimed that the participants of the counter-rally maintained that Hamas flags were carried during the rally by Muslims but nothing as such happened.

Azmi’s comments came after Maharashtra Dy CM Devendra Fadnavis assured in the state assembly that strict action would be taken against the accused who raised pro-Hamas slogans and flags in a rally at Dharangaon, Jalgaon in Maharashtra.

Image PTI

The issue was raised in the state assembly by BJP MLC Prasad Lad who demanded a thorough investigation into the case. He stated that individuals supporting Hamas had participated in the Dharangaon rally, prompting the deputy chief minister to promise a thorough examination of the information provided by Lad and appropriate action.

Muslims carried steel rods, raised ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’, ‘Hamas Jindabad, Bharat Murdabad’ slogans, flags

Team OpIndia obtained the FIR of the case filed on 16th December 2023. The FIR has been filed based on the complaint of one of the members of the Rashtriya Suraksha Manch, Dharangaon and it is the same which Azmi wants the Police to withdraw.

As per the FIR, the rally in support of Palestine, ‘Julus-e-Gaosiya’ was organized by a Muslim organization named Rafiq Qureshi Foundation in Dharangaon on 8th November 2023. The rally was attended by around 2500 to 3000 people from the Muslim community. Even the Muslim children studying in Madarsas nearby participated in the rally.

FIR copy obtained by OpIndia

The participants in the rally including the 11 accused persons raised anti-India slogans and ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ slogans. They also hailed Pakistan, Palestine, and Hamas during the rally and condemned India’s support to Israel. The slogans raised by the accused as per the FIR are- “Gustakh-e-Nabi ki ek hi saja, Sar Tan Se Juda Sar Tan Se Juda,” “Hinduo ka raja, Mera Khwaja,” “Hamas Jindabad, Bharat Murdabad,” and “Hamas tera naam roshan hoga, insha allah insha Allah.”

The FIR also says that the accused persons raised the Palestine flags and flags supporting the terrorist organization ‘Hamas’ during the rally as it reached the Jain lane and main market area of Dharangaon. They also carried steel rods. Some videos of this incident were captured by the locals and were obtained by OpIndia in which the accused persons and the Muslim participants of the rally could be heard raising anti-India, pro-Hamas slogans.

Palestine flags, Pakistan flags raised in rally organized by Muslims in Dharangaon, Jalgaon from OpIndia Videos on Vimeo.

One of the members of the Rashtriya Suraksha Manch, Dharangaon exclusively informed OpIndia that the Hamas flags were raised by the accused and they hid the flags after seeing people making videos. “Some of the people also threw the flags as they saw cameras capturing the incident,” he added.

The complainant in the FIR said that along with him many others shot the videos of the incident which were submitted to the police while filing a police complaint.

“Such incidents create a divide among the society and are a threat to communal peace and tranquility. Strict action against all the accused is a must,” the FIR dated 16th December read. The FIR in the case has been filed under sections 153(A)(1)(b) and 188 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. Further probe is underway.

The rally was organized in support of the terrorist organization Hamas which launched a brutal attack on Israel on 7th October. The Hamas terrorists abducted and killed hundreds of civilians and also raped women in Israel. They stripped them naked and paraded them in their vehicles as a part of the attack. Several similar rallies were organized by Islamists in different parts of the country showing their support to the terrorist organization, Hamas.

Mahuagate: Delhi HC refuses to grant interim relief to TMC’s Mahua Moitra against orders to vacate govt bungalow

OpIndia Staff
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Mahuagate: Delhi HC refuses to grant interim relief to TMC’s Mahua Moitra against orders to vacate govt bungalow

On 19th December, the Delhi High Court refused to pass a stay order on the plea by Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mahua Moitra challenging the government of India’s order to vacate the government-allotted bungalow. She has been asked to vacate the bungalow by 7th January 2024 in the wake of her expulsion from the Lok Sabha.

During the hearing, Justice Subramonium Prasad noted that a similar plea was submitted by Moitra in the Supreme Court. Hence, any orders passed by the High Court could amount to impinging on the apex court’s proceedings. Justice Prasad said, “You have challenged the order by filing a writ petition. One of the prayers can be a stay of the order. If the Supreme Court grants a stay in your favour, your suspension will be stayed. If we adjudicate on this, it will be directly impinging on the SC proceedings.”

The matter will be heard in the Delhi High Court on 4th January after the Supreme Court hears the plea on 3rd January. Justice Prasad noted, “We will have it on January 4 after the Supreme Court opens and deals with your case. The matter is listed on January 3 (before the Supreme Court).” Furthermore, Justice Prasad refused to pass any interim order which was requested by Moitra’s lawyers.

In her plea in the High Court, she said that the matter of her expulsion is yet to be heard in the Supreme Court. She urged the Delhi High Court to quash the 11th December order of the Directorate of Estates of the Government of India to cancel her government accommodation and vacate the premises by 7th January 2024. Furthermore, she asked the court to allow her to continue to live in the bungalow till the results of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 are announced.

She said in her plea, “In the event that the petitioner is so allowed, she will readily undertake to pay any charges that may be applicable for the extended period of stay.” She argued that if she vacated the bungalow, it would affect her ability to carry out activities required to do in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections. She submitted, “Instability in accommodation, however, would pose a significant impediment to the Petitioner’s ability to host and engage with party members, parliamentarians, fellow politicians, visiting constituents, key stakeholders and other dignitaries, which is essential, especially in the lead up to a general election. In addition, the Petitioner is a woman living alone in New Delhi. She has no place of residence or alternative accommodation in Delhi. Therefore, if evicted from her government accommodation, she will have to fulfil the duties of campaigning while also finding, and then shifting to, a new residence all by herself. This will place an onerous burden on the Petitioner.”

Mahuagate, expulsion and orders to vacate the bungalow

On 8th December, Lok Sabha passed a resolution to expel TMC leader Mahua Moitra from the parliament. The decision was taken on the recommendations based on the Ethics Committee report in cash-for-query matter. Notably, on 15th October, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey accused Moitra of taking cash and gifts for asking questions in Lok Sabha. The allegations were based on a complaint filed by Moitra’s ex-partner advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai.

Moitra was accused of sharing her Lok Sabha credentials with businessman Darshan Hiranandani who is a rival of businessman Gautam Adani. It was alleged that the majority of the questions raised by the MP in Lok Sabha directly or indirectly favoured Hiranandani. Furthermore, in a sworn affidavit submitted by Hiranandani in the Indian Embassy in Dubai, it was noted that the businessman paid Moitra for questions in the form of expensive gifts etc.

Following the allegations, the Ethics Committee summoned Moitra to participate in an investigation into the matter. During the committee meeting, Moitra accused the committee members of asking personal questions and stormed out of the room. Later, the Ethics Committee submitted its report in which Moitra was found guilty of sharing credentials and taking cash and gifts for asking questions in the House. The committee recommended her expulsion from the House.

J&K: Illegally obtained Indian documents seized from Rohingyas & Bangladeshis, facilitators also booked in FIR filed against illegal settlement

OpIndia Staff
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J&K: Illegally obtained Indian documents seized from Rohingyas & Bangladeshis, facilitators also booked in FIR filed against illegal settlement

The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Tuesday (19th December) launched a search in the Rohingya colony in Bathindi area of Jammu. A house to house search was conducted by the police leading to recovery of illegally obtained documents.

PAN cards, Adhaar cards and bank documents were seized among other incriminating material. Three FIRs have been registered against ten foreigners (Rohingyas and Bangladeshi nationals and their facilitators for illegally procuring Indian identity documents like Domicile Certificates, Aadhaar Cards and illegally staying in Doda district.

Shakti Pathak, DIG Jammu said that the police is checking what kind of documents the Rohingyas settlers have and who have helped them in providing these documents. “Investigation is underway,” he said.

Speaking to reporters in Jammu on Tuesday about the searches, DIG Pathak said, “In different places in Jammu city, people have given their plots to those who’ve come from outside. We are checking who is giving them these facilities and helping them get the Indian government facilities…”

He said that seven police stations are involved and searches are underway at around 29-30 locations in Jammu.

As per reports, 7 FIRs have been lodged at different police stations in Jammu against persons for allegedly giving shelter and government benefits to Rohingyas.

The FIRs have been lodged in Satwari, Trikuta Nagar, Bagh-e-Bahu, Channi Himmat, Nowabad, Domana, and Nagrota after the searches were carried out.

Reports quoting officials said that magistrates were present at the search locations where Rohingyas are living and also at the homes of their facilitators.

In a press release issued on Tuesday, police said several First Information Reports have been lodged at different police stations against the people found to be accused of providing shelter to the Rohingya.

“Today, an action was initiated against all those who have been facilitators in providing shelter and availing government benefits to the non-citizens of the country, Rohingyas,” the release further stated.

According to the press release, FIR’s are lodged in the following Police Stations vide FIR numbers P/S Satwari FIRno.270 , P/S Trikuta Nagar FIR no. 352, P/S Bagh-e-Bahu FIR no.107, P/S Channi Himmat FiR no.184, P/S Nowabad FIR no.191, P/S Domana FIR no.370, P/S Nagrota FIR no.527 respectively.

“In these FIR’s people who have been found to be accused of providing shelter to the people of foreigners outside of the nation (Rohingyas),” it added.

As per reports, on Monday (18th December), police registered a case against Rohingyas in Kishtwar district after recovering illegally obtained documents like Adhaar cards.

The case was registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 420 (cheating), 467 (forgery of important documents), 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating) and 471 (using as genuine a forged document) at Dachhan police station.

Rohingya menace in J&K

In November, 5 people including a Rohinhya man were arrested in connection with a case of alleged human trafficking in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, police said. The accused trafficked Rohingya women via Bangladesh and got them “married” to locals in the Union Territory “in exchange for money.”

The arrests came two days after the police busted a human trafficking network.

Earlier in July this year, Rohingyas lodged at the Holding Center in Hiranagar town of Kathua district in Jammu and Kashmir attacked the police by pelting stones.

Several people including the police officials suffered injuries in the violence that ensued.

Senior police officials stated that clashes erupted after the police moved in to rescue the centre’s in-charge and two other staff members who were being held captive by the Rohingyas and that around six officers were hurt in stone pelting by the Rohingya detainees.

Hadiya, who had converted to Islam after marrying a PFI Islamist, found living with her second husband, Court dismisses family’s petition

OpIndia Staff
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Hadiya, who had converted to Islam after marrying a PFI Islamist, found living with her second husband, Court dismisses family’s petition

On Friday (15th December), the Kerala High Court dismissed KM Asokan’s habeas corpus petition after the prosecution informed the court that Hadiya, his daughter is currently residing with her second husband.

Hadiya rose to national prominence in 2016 after converting to Islam and marrying an Islamist who was member of the now banned terrorist group PFI. The court decided to dismiss the habeas corpus petition after reviewing the prosecution’s report, which indicated that Hadiya was not being held illegally.

As per the report by NDTV, the High Court learned that Hadiya’s first marriage had ended and that she had entered into a second marriage and was living with her second husband near Thiruvananthapuram.

Hadiya’s family had petitioned the Kerala High Court, saying that they had been unable to locate her for the past month due to her conversion to Islam and subsequent marriage to a man named Shafin Jahan.

Her father, Asokan, petitioned the High Court, alleging that his daughter was illegally detained by people, including her husband, who are allegedly members of the banned Popular Front of India.

Asokan had told the High Court that Hadiya had been untraceable to him and his wife for the previous month. He claimed that whenever they called their daughter, she either did not answer the phone or, on several occasions, the phone was turned off.

Asokan also stated that they went to her newly opened homeopathy clinic in Malappuram, but it was closed and the neighbors were unaware of it. Earlier, it was reported that Hadiya recently informed her mother about Shafin Jahan and said that they were no longer together and that she didn’t know where he was. Asokan then expressed his worries that his daughter had been held against her will by people connected to Shafin Jahan and Sainaba.

Hadiya converted to Islam while studying medicine in Coimbatore and married Jahan in 2016 when she was 25 years old. Soon after, Asokan filed a writ petition in the High Court, arguing that the conversion was coerced and that Jahan had ties to extremist organisations such as PFI. He also claimed she would be trafficked to Syria and join the Islamic State.

The marriage was then declared a ‘sham’ by the High Court. However, Jahan later petitioned the Supreme Court, which overturned the High Court’s decision in 2018.

Telangana: Tension erupts in communities as VDC calls for social boycott against Muslims over land dispute

OpIndia Staff
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Telangana: Tension erupts in communities as VDC calls for social boycott against Muslims over land dispute

On 9th December, the Village Development Committee (VDC) in village Velpur of district Nizamabad in Telangana declared a social boycott against the Muslim community. The call was made in connection to a disputed piece of land. As per a report in Siasat, Hindus in the region alleged that the land was historically grazing land. On the other hand, Muslims claimed the graveyard and Eidgah on the piece of land have been there for over 150 years.

Following the tension between the two communities, authorities imposed Section 144 in the region to avoid any clashes. Furthermore, notices were issued to VDC and the Muslim community to resolve the matter peacefully. So far, VDC has not attended any meetings.

As per the Siasat report, on 10th December, around 200-250 people from the Hindu community gathered at the 4.12 acre disputed land that has Eidgah and the graveyard of the Muslim community. They tried to take over the land but police placed barricades and used lathi charges to disperse the members of the Hindu community.

On 11th December, the district collector of Nizamabad called for a meeting including representatives from the Waqf Board, RDO, ACP, and Velpur village elders. VDC members were not called for the meeting as they were deemed not to represent either village administration or government. No concrete resolution was reached in the meeting.

On 13th December, a statement was released by the Muslim community accusing VDC of indulging in anti-social activities to create communal tension. They pleaded with the Telangana Director General of Police to intervene and ensure the safety of Muslims in the region.

In the recent meeting that was held on 18th December, members of the Waqf Board, the Assistant Commissioner of police, elders from the village and Revenue Divisional Officers (RDO) discussed the matter. However, no resolution has been achieved to solve the dispute between the communities. The Muslim side asked for two days to resolve the matter and said it would be done by 20th December.

Tension over land in Velpur

The conflict over the disputed land erupted back in 2015 when VDCs alleged that the land was historically used for grazing. On the other hand, Muslims have asserted that the land has been used as a graveyard for over 150 years. The matter reached Lok Adalat but the members of the Muslim community did not attend the court proceedings.

What are VDCs?

Village Development Committees or VDCs were formed in the villages of Nizamabad and Kamareddy districts by the locals. These committees run on a self-organisational mechanism and handle disputes in the villages without reaching out to the courts or police.

OpIndia tried to contact the local police but could not connect.

‘Hindus seeking right to worship on Gyanvapi land, restoration of temple not barred by Places of Worship Act,’ rules Allahabad HC, all 5 petitions of Muslim side rejected

OpIndia Staff
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‘Hindus seeking right to worship on Gyanvapi land, restoration of temple not barred by Places of Worship Act,’ rules Allahabad HC, all 5 petitions of Muslim side rejected

In a massive win for the Hindu side, the Allahabad High Court has ruled that the civil suits filed by Hindu worshippers and deity seeking the right to worship on the disputed Gyanvapi land and restoration of the temple are not barred by the Places of Worship Act 1991.

The Allahabad HC has rejected the plea filed by the Masjid Committee which challenged the suits filed by the Hindu worshippers and the deity in the Kashi Vishwanath Temple-Gyanvapi land title dispite.

The ruling, which was reserved on 8th December, was passed by the bench of Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal.

The lower court has also been directed to expeditiously decide the suit in 6 months. It also added that if the court deems a survey necessary for any part, it may instruct the ASI to conduct it.

A suit was filed in 1991 by the Ancient Idol of Swayambhu Lord Vishweshwar and 5 others before a local court in Varanasi seeking the removal of the mosque and restoration of the disputed land to Hindus.

On 8th April 2021, the Varanasi civil court allowed the ASI to conduct a comprehensive physical survey of the disputed site adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

The Anjuman Intezamiya Masjid Committee had moved high court against this order. The HC had stayed the proceedings before the lower court including the ASI survey of Gyanvapi.

Five petitions including a plea were being heard together by the HC in the case. In a related matter, 5 Hindu worshippers filed a suit before a local court seeking the right to worship Hindu deities inside the Gyanvapi complex.

A scientific examination of the controversial complex was mandated by the Varanasi court on 21st July to determine whether the mosque was “constructed over a pre-existing structure of a Hindu temple.”

The ASI was instructed to undertake scientific investigation at the property in question, i.e. settlement plot number 9130 (Gyanvapi site), by District and Sessions Judge AK Vishvesha. The survey was to exclude the ‘Wazukhana’ area, which was sealed on the Supreme Court’s order.

The mosque committee, however, sought a stay on the survey from the Allahabad High Court and then the Supreme Court. The survey was resumed on 4th August under security arrangements after both courts cleared the way.

The ASI asked the court for more time to finish the survey after the allotted time had passed. “In compliance with the said order, the ASI is conducting a scientific investigation/survey at the site,” the ASI stated in its request asking for an extension of time.

The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, which had previously requested that the survey of the controversial mosque complex be halted, objected to giving the ASI more time.

Last month, the ASI informed the court that it had completed a scientific survey at the site but that the ground-penetrating radar survey report was still being prepared, and that it would need more time to submit the survey report.

Finally on 18th December, the ASI submitted its report on the a scientific survey it had undertaken at the controversial Gyanvapi complex.

Made to believe that I was the only female he was in love with: Ex-girlfriend of ‘comedian’ Munawar Faruqi lifts the lid on his adulterous life

OpIndia Staff
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Made to believe that I was the only female he was in love with: Ex-girlfriend of ‘comedian’ Munawar Faruqi lifts the lid on his adulterous life

On Monday (18th December) evening, the former girlfriend of Munawar Faruqi exposed how the ‘comedian’ had been dating multiple people while being in a relationship with her.

Nazila Sitaishi, an influencer and Faruqi’s ex-girlfriend, went live on Instagram and said, “I was made to believe that I was the only person in his life. I was the only female he was in love with but it was not true. And there were a lot of other girls involved that I don’t want to talk about”

“If Ayesha (another ex-girlfriend of Munawar Faruqi) was the only person involved in this, I would consider forgiving but she isn’t. I wish people knew what went down off-camera but clearly they don’t,” she emphasised.

“I want people to stop paying attention. After watching today’s episode, I have nothing to do with Munawar,” she added. It must be mentioned that the ‘comedian’ is a contestant in the 17th edition of the reality TV show ‘Big Boss’. His another ex-girlfriend Ayesha Khan is also a part of the show.

Nazila Sitaishi continued, “I remained silent because I wanted to see what he had to say and how he justified this whole thing. It was just a bunch of lies and I am not satisfied with all this. I don’t need to justify to anybody over here and I did not even want to come on live but things have gone to such an extent that I had to come live and put my side of the story out there for once.”

“This is my truth and I don’t need to prove it to anyone. This is the last time I am speaking about this. I am never going to acknowledge this in my life. I don’t have to do anything with this person or situation,” she said. Sitaishi claimed that she was unaware of Faruqi’s relationship with Khan.

“It is a shame that these things have become public. People are talking about it publicly and are making fun of my personal life, things that they know nothing about, abusing me in comments and on Twitter, and fake videos. I don’t enjoy this at all,” the Instagram influencer concluded.

Munawar Faruqi and his anti-Hindu remarks

The ‘comedian’ sparked public outrage due to his controversial portrayal and mockery of Hindu deities, as well as his insensitive remarks regarding the victims of the Godhra train burning incident. The tragic event occurred when a Muslim mob set fire to the Sabarmati Express near Godhra station, resulting in the death of 59 karsevaks.

In January 2021, Faruqui was arrested for making indecent remarks about Hindu deities during his stand-up performances. Although he was later released, his comments on Hindu genocide and derogatory statements about Hindu Gods led to widespread protests against his shows.

Despite issuing an apology, claiming that he never intended to hurt anyone’s sentiments with his jokes, Munawar Faruqui continued to engage in demeaning portrayals of Hindus and their cultural heritage through his ‘comedy’ performances.

US announces 10-nation naval force to combat Houthi rebels threatening maritime trade in Red Sea route

OpIndia Staff
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US announces 10-nation naval force to combat Houthi rebels threatening maritime trade in Red Sea route

The US announced the creation of an international coalition against Houthi attacks on international maritime trade in the Red Sea, The Hill reported.

Operation Prosperity Guardian will involve the navies of Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, Spain, UK and US. The task force falls under the Combined Maritime Forces, a multinational alliance tasked with defending the world’s shipping lanes.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said ‘Operation Prosperity Guardian’ will be a new security initiative involving several countries; UK, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain, The Hill reported.

The Houthis rebel group has attacked multiple merchant vessels and forced companies to suspend routes through the region. The US and other naval forces already operate in the Red Sea region to defend commercial shipping, but the new task force is expected to ramp up security.

“Operation Prosperity Guardian is bringing together multiple countries to include the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain, to jointly address security challenges in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, with the goal of ensuring freedom of navigation for all countries and bolstering regional security and prosperity,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement.

Operation Prosperity Guardian will specifically be managed by Task Force 153, a component of the Combined Maritime Forces that defend the Red Sea, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait near Yemen and the Gulf of Aden, according to The Hill.

During a briefing on Monday, Austin told reporters that the Houthis have “violated international law” by harassing ships in the Red Sea.

“So we’re taking action to build an international coalition to address this threat,” Austin said. “This is not just a US issue — this is an international problem, and it deserves an international response.”

Austin added that he would also be convening a meeting with foreign leaders to discuss efforts to keep the Red Sea free from attacks.

Since the Israel-Hamas war broke out on October 7, the Iranian-backed Houthis have joined in with other militia groups across the Middle East in assaulting US positions and assets, The Hill reported.

The Houthis have launched aggressive attacks on commercial ships as part of the fighting, including seizing a boat last month in a daring raid.

The violence has scared off merchants, with oil giant BP joining container shipping company Maersk in rerouting transits away from the Red Sea. The redirected transits could force vessels to take a much longer hike around Africa and dent the pace of commercial shipping.

Notably, around 10 per cent of global trade flows through the Red Sea each year.

While the US and other naval forces already operate in the Red Sea region to defend commercial shipping, the new task force is expected to ramp up security, according to The Hill. 

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Delhi Anti-Hindu Riots: Delhi court dismisses ex-AAP councilor Tahir Hussain’s plea to stay ED’s money laundering case against him

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi Anti-Hindu Riots: Delhi court dismisses ex-AAP councilor Tahir Hussain’s plea to stay ED’s money laundering case against him

On 14th December, Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat of Karkardooma Court in Shahadara district of Delhi dismissed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) former councilor Tahir Hussain’s plea to stay the money laundering case against him. In his plea, Hussain had requested the court to stay the matter until the charges were framed against him in another matter related to the anti-Hindu Delhi Riots of February 2020.

Hussain is accused in multiple cases related to the riots including the brutal murder of Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer Ankit Sharma. He is also accused of hatching the larger conspiracy behind the riots.

The Delhi Police is pursuing the criminal cases against him. On the other hand, the Enforcement Directorate is pursuing the money laundering case in the matter. As per the ED, hussain laundered crores of rupees using Shell Companies to fund the protests against the Citizen Amendment Act (CAA) and the anti-Hindu riots.

In his orders on 14th December, Justice Rawat rejected Hussain’s arguments that there were no proceeds of the crime of money laundering the matter. The appeal in similar matters has already been rejected by the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court which was mentioned in the orders. Justice Rawat added that the case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) is registered against a person only if there is a predicate offence, which in this case is the conspiracy to incite riots).

The court said, “Once the investigation into the PMLA has been initiated, it is also tried as a separate case. Thus, predicate offence triggers initiation of a case under PMLA but is not only independently investigated but also independently and separately tried.”

The order further read, “It is also clear that if there is an order of discharge or acquittal in the predicate offence, then the proceedings in the PMLA case shall come to a stop. That does not mean that if there is an order on charge or conviction, there would also be an automatic conviction in the PMLA case.”

The court asserted that if the case is stayed, it might result in public witnesses being lost. Furthermore, there was no mandate by law to stay the proceedings. Staying the recording of evidence in the matter would jeopardise the case even if the witnesses were available. The court said, “In such circumstances, to contend that until there is no charge or conviction, the proceedings under PMLA should be stayed is not mandated by law. If the PMLA matter is stayed till the charge or by the same logic till the conclusion of the case by way of conviction, then witnesses, particularly public witnesses, may be lost.”

Notably, the charges under relevant sections of PMLA against Hussain were framed in January 2023. At that time, it was noted by the prosecution that the conspiracy was hatched and there was a clear case against Hussain.

Apart from the money laundering case, Tahir Hussain was charged in the matter related to the brutal murder of IB officer Sharma. The charges were framed user Sections 147, 148, 149, 153A, 302, 365, 120B, and 188 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

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